Naruto: In the future world

#Author's Point of View

. . .

On their way to school... Naruto and Kiba walked side by side, chatting.

As usual, they came to school together every morning.

"I landed a clean punch to that delinquent's face and kicked the other one straight in the gut!" Kiba spoke with excitement, reliving his heroic tale from yesterday's fight.

"You're so lucky... As for me, I got beaten to a pulp. Man, I feel the pain every time I remember it." Naruto placed a hand on his cheek, eyes shut in discomfort.

"Don't worry! Next time, we'll wipe the floor with them!!"

"Sorry, but I'm not interested in fighting them again," Naruto replied with a sigh. Who in their right mind would want to be beaten like a mangy dog again? Certainly not him.

"You're such a coward, Naruto. Tch..."

"Oi! Who are you calling a coward?! They nearly killed me! I'm not stupid enough to go looking for trouble with them again!!" Naruto snapped angrily.

"That's why we have to take revenge! So they won't dare mess with us again! Come on, don't be a coward just because of one rough beating!" Kiba shot back, just as irritated.

"And who says they won't come after us again if we retaliate? You don't seriously think they'll just back off quietly, do you??"

"They will! Once they see how strong we are, they'll be too scared to mess with us again!"

"Are you an idiot?! That only happens in movies!!"

The two kept bickering as they walked without even looking ahead—until Naruto suddenly bumped into someone.

For a moment, Naruto felt like he'd collided with a wall of steel. Maybe he imagined it.

The person he'd bumped into, however, instantly fell back, and the books he'd been carrying scattered across the ground.

It was a boy with neatly slicked-back black hair, honey-colored eyes hidden behind prescription glasses—likely to help him see better.

"I'm sorry—are you okay?" Naruto extended his hand calmly to the boy.

The boy looked up at Naruto with slight confusion, took his hand, and stood up before immediately crouching to gather his books. Naruto joined him to help.

As Naruto picked up one of the books, a small white slip fell out. It fluttered mid-air, front and back, before landing face-up.

It was a photograph.

A girl with long, pink hair, radiantly beautiful, smiling softly.

Naruto stared at the photo, stunned.

The bespectacled boy's eyes widened in terror. He snatched the photo away, grabbed the books from Naruto's hands, and bolted without a word.

Naruto said nothing, while Kiba stared after the boy, bewildered by his odd behavior.

"Oi, what was that about??"

(That photo... no way... was that a picture of Sakura-chan? Why does he have her photo??)

Kiba noticed Naruto wasn't responding and raised his voice, slightly annoyed. "Naruto! Hey! Are you even listening?!"

"Huh??"

"I asked what's up with that weird kid. Something fell out of his book, and he freaked out and ran. I didn't get a good look, but I'm sure it was a photo or something like that."

"You saw it too?" Naruto stood up, looking at Kiba.

"Yeah. Did you see what it was?"

"I think it was a photo of Sakura-chan. Not totally sure, though..." Naruto spoke with a hint of seriousness.

"Wait, what are you saying? You think he's a stalker??" Kiba gasped, anger rising in his voice.

Stalkers were the absolute worst kinds of people.

Once they set their eyes on a girl, they'd invade her every privacy, watching her every move to find a way to win her favor.

Too cowardly to confess directly, they only ever hurt others with their actions.

They were the lowest of the low...

"I don't know... but we should look into it. If he is stalking Sakura-chan, I'll break every bone in his body!!" Naruto clenched his fists in anger.

"Heh, you really are a demon when it comes to the girl you love," Kiba chuckled nervously. Even he had to admit—he never wanted to see Naruto furious when it came to someone he cared about. Facing a demon might actually be easier.

Naruto sighed and smiled slightly. "Anyway, we better hurry or we'll be late for class."

"Yeah, yeah, let's go."

. . .

#Scene Fourteen

. . .

Meeting the Demon

. . .

Meanwhile, back in the classroom of the red-haired delinquent...

Class hadn't started yet—and whether the teacher showed up or not didn't really matter to the red-haired delinquent lounging in his seat.

"What are first-years doing here, huh?" one of his lackeys asked, seeing two unfamiliar boys approaching.

The red-haired boy didn't care much, but seeing the first-years walk toward him bruised his pride.

"You mocking me or something?" he growled, raising a fist to strike one of them.

But before he could land a punch, he was met with a swift roundhouse kick to the head, knocking him out cold.

The attacker was a boy with a bizarre hairstyle.

The red-haired delinquent smirked, amused. "You've got guts attacking one of my men in front of me, Shino the Invincible... and you too, Rock Lee the Drunkard."

Some of the other delinquents were about to rush at Shino and Rock Lee, but the red-haired boy raised his hand, stopping them with a grin.

He stood up with enthusiasm, cracking his knuckles. "So… are you declaring war on me?"

"That's not why I came," Shino replied coolly. "O demon of Konoha High."

There were four major high schools in Konoha…

This one—Naruto's school—was the most well-known.

Each of the four had its own dominant delinquent gang that ruled the area around the school. These gangs expanded their influence to smaller high schools and even middle schools.

You remember Izumi and his brother Mizuki? They were under the command of a gang leader from another school—but that's a story for another time.

The leaders of the four schools were known as the Four Demons.

The Red Demon was the current leader of the gang ruling Konoha High.

Shino, however, served under a different gang, unrelated to the Four Demons.

"So why are you here, Shino the Invincible? Don't tell me a strong guy like you finally decided to bow down and join my gang?"

Shino had no interest in gangs. As previously stated, he never backed down from a fight. In all his years battling delinquents, he had never lost—hence the nickname Invincible. That didn't mean he was unbeatable... he just hadn't been defeated yet.

Because of that, the Four Demons all wanted him on their side, but he had refused every offer, choosing instead to remain neutral.

Shino didn't respond. The Red Demon was growing more curious—and suspicious—about why Shino had come.

"I need your help fighting a certain gang. If you'll defeat that person for me, I'll gladly serve under you."

The Red Demon was silent, as if listening to nonsense not worth his time.

"Are you serious?" He seemed a bit irritated now.

Shino, who had refused all the Four Demons, was now throwing away his pride?

"Yes!!"

Shino spoke firmly, eyes narrowing behind his glasses.

"Who is this person… that made you throw away your pride?" the Red Demon asked, bored.

Shino stepped closer and whispered a few words.

"...Heh. That guy, huh."

Suddenly, the Red Demon's tone shifted—he sounded excited again.

"So? What do you say?"

Shino's eyes were intense as he awaited the response.

"I can't," the Red Demon replied with a slow, wicked smile. "You see… I'm now one of his followers too."

"...What?!"

Both Rock Lee and Shino were utterly shocked.

That guy... had already conquered one of the Four Demons?!

Just how terrifying was this person? How far could his power go??

"I see. So even someone I respected is now just another of his dogs." Shino was clearly agitated.

"Call it what you will. I call it an investment." The Red Demon shrugged.

"That's nonsense! Do you think he gives a damn about anyone else??" Shino yelled, grabbing the Red Demon by the collar.

"Oi, Shino—calm down!!" Rock Lee grabbed him to prevent a fight.

"You can rage all you want, but don't forget—you were his lackey not too long ago." The Red Demon grinned. "Still... I'll be kind enough not to snitch about your betrayal. I'd rather see what you're planning—and I'll be the first wall standing in your way!"

Shino let go of the Red Demon's collar with a scowl, turning away.

"Fine. I'll crush you both. Just you wait."

"Yeah, yeah, Shino the Invincible. Gather your team. I'll be waiting! Let's see if you can cure my boredom!!" the Red Demon laughed, arms wide.

Shino and Rock Lee stormed out of the classroom, irritation radiating from their every step.

. . .

#Scene Fourteen

. . .

Meeting the Demon (End)

. . .

"What now? The Red Demon turned us down. Don't tell me you're thinking of facing him alone?" Rock Lee asked calmly.

"Damn him... I'll find a way."

They descended the stairs. First-years had classes on the first floor, while second- and third-years were upstairs.

As they walked, they ran into someone.

Shino stopped and stared. "There's still a chance."

"A chance? What do you mean?" Rock Lee asked, confused.

"There's one last way to beat that demon."

"And what's that?" Rock Lee grew excited.

"We'll just have to awaken the King of Demons!" Shino smiled, pointing ahead.

Two boys were walking and chatting innocently—one with blond hair, the other with brown.

It was none other than Naruto and Kiba—completely unaware of the plan being formed around them.

"You're insane. He'll kill you when he finds out what you're planning!!"

"I don't care, as long as he kills that guy first!" Shino's eyes burned with fury.

. . .

Elsewhere, near the first-year classrooms...

Ino and Sakura had just arrived outside the classroom door.

"What's with you?" Ino asked, glancing at Sakura.

"Huh?" Sakura replied absentmindedly.

"You look nervous... like you're about to confess to someone." Ino smirked teasingly.

"Haah?! T-That's not true!!" Sakura quickly looked away, cheeks slightly red.

"Then let's go in." Ino opened the door and dragged her inside.

The classroom fell silent.

No one had ever seen Ino and Sakura walk in together.

And coincidentally, both were known as the class beauties. To the boys, it was like two goddesses had entered the room. All eyes turned to them.

"Look at them—all staring at us," Ino whispered with a grin as she tugged Sakura forward.

"Whose fault do you think that is?! I told you we should've walked in separately!" Sakura hissed, flustered by all the attention.

"But I don't want to be apart from you!" Ino pouted.

"Stop acting like a spoiled child!!"

"Come on, what's the big deal?" Ino laughed and plopped down at Sakura's desk. The two girls continued chatting under everyone's gaze.

"Sakura-chan! Good morning!"

They heard a voice and turned to see who it was.

"A-Ah... N-Naruto-kun... G-Good morning..." Sakura blushed slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked away.

Naruto was surprised by her reaction. Still, she was breathtaking. He couldn't help but watch her nervous gestures.

"Good morning, Naruto-san," Ino greeted with a smile.

"O-Oh, Ino-san. Good morning," Naruto replied politely.

"As you can see, Sakura and I are really close now. We're best friends!" Ino beamed.

"Oh, that's great! Let's all be friends too!" Naruto smiled warmly at the thought of the two becoming dear friends.

"Of course! But you'll have to treat me to lunch!" Ino teased, eyes sparkling.

"Hehehe, why not! Let's go together—with Kiba and Sakura-chan!" Naruto laughed cheerfully.

"And don't forget Sasuke-kun!" Ino added enthusiastically, forgetting yesterday's drama as if nothing had happened.

"Uh..."

Naruto and Sakura, both smiling just a moment ago, fell silent when Ino said that. The mood shifted instantly.

"Why not? I'll come too, if you don't mind. And let's not forget Karin, of course."

The voice came from behind them.

They turned around in surprise—Sasuke was standing there.

Sakura couldn't look him in the eye. She averted her gaze, silent.

Naruto stared at Sasuke with a hint of sadness. He understood Sasuke's feelings... It was the same misunderstanding he once had.

But was Naruto's past truly a misunderstanding?

Or did they actually share the same feelings?

He couldn't tell.

He didn't understand Sakura's feelings.

And he couldn't read Sasuke's hidden thoughts either.

Because now, Sasuke was smiling happily—as if nothing from yesterday had ever happened.

. . .

To Be Continued